South Holston Dam

South Holston Dam Quick Facts

Location: Sullivan, Tennessee
Coordinates: 36.524018, -82.0885
River: South Fork Holston River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Rockfill Earth
Commissioned: 1950
Dam Height: 285 ft (87 m)
Dam Length: 1,600 ft (488 m)
Dam Capacity: 890,367 acre-ft (1,098,250 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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South Holston Dam Map

South Holston Dam Information

South Holston Dam is a rockfill earth dam located about 15 miles from Bluff City, Sullivan, Tennessee.

The dam, which is on the South Fork Holston River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Recreation, Hydroelectric and Water Supply benefits.

The dam was designed by TVA and commissioned in 1950 and is currently owned by TVA.

South Holston Dam Structure

The South Holston Dam is approximately 1,600 feet (488 m) long, 285 feet (87 m) high and has a structural volume of 5,897,440 cubic yards (4,508,917 cubic metres).

South Holston Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 658,356 acre-ft (812,069 Ml) and maximum capacity of 890,367 acre-ft (1,098,250 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 7,600 acres (3,076 ha) and the total catchment area is 703 square miles (1,821 square kilometres).

South Holston Dam Spillway

The dam has a 385 feet (117 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 114000 cubic feet per second (3228 cubic metres per second).

South Holston Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
South Holston Dam
Sullivan, Tennessee
Height (ft)
285
Length (Ft)
1,600
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
890,367
Drainage Area (sq miles)
703
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

South Holston Dam Weather

Current Conditions at South Holston Dam

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7-Day Forecast for South Holston Dam

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South Holston Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the South Holston Dam?

South Holston Dam is in Tennessee.

In which county is the South Holston Dam?

South Holston Dam is in Sullivan County.

How high is the South Holston Dam?

South Holston Dam is 285 feet high.

How long is the South Holston Dam?

South Holston Dam is 1,600 feet long.

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More Dams in Sullivan County:

Eastman Lake Dam
Elmwood City Lake Dam
Fort Patrick Henry Dam
Hoosier Energy Reservoir Dam
Kickapoo Lake Dam
Lake Sullivan Dam Busseron No. K-1
Neversink Reservoir Dam
Rio Dam
South Holston Dam
Sunapee Lake Dam
Swinging Bridge Dam
Toronto Dam
Wanaksink Lake Dam
Yankee Lake Dam

More Dams in Tennessee:

Beech Dam
Boone Dam
Calderwood Dam
Cherokee Dam
Chickamauga Dam
Chilhowee Dam
Dogwood Dam
Douglas Dam
Elk River Dam
Fort Loudoun Dam
Fort Patrick Henry Dam
Great Falls Dam
John Sevier Dam
Melton Hill Dam
Nickajack Dam
Nolichucky Dam
Normandy Dam
Norris Dam
Ocoee No. 1 Dam
Ocoee No. 3 Dam
Pickwick Landing Dam
Pin Oak Dam
Pine Dam
Raccoon Mountain Dam
South Holston Dam
Tellico Dam
Tims Ford Dam
Watauga Dam
Watts Bar Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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